self-governance

noun

self-gov·​er·​nance ˌself-ˈgə-vər-nən(t)s How to pronounce self-governance (audio)

Examples of self-governance in a Sentence

despite pessimistic predictions, self-governance has worked out well for the former colony
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tibetans, initially resistant to the transfer of the community’s political mandate from pontiff to public, slowly but steadily embraced this experiment in democratic self-governance. Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025 Residents, meanwhile, have voiced strong opposition, arguing the deployment undermines civil liberties and local self-governance. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025 Trump’s show of force is an imposition on a citizenry already aware that its democratic self-governance is tenuous. Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2025 Boley was even praised by Booker T. Washington as a model for Black self-governance. Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 16 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-governance

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-governance was in 1848

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Cite this Entry

“Self-governance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-governance. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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